Carlson Takeoff vs SiteWorx/OS

Carlson Takeoff7.9Visit SiteWorx/OS7.9Visit

Carlson Takeoff #2 in Earthwork Estimating Software 7.9/10 Pricing on request · 30-day trial Free trial✓ 1 of 3 features Visit Carlson

vs

SiteWorx/OS #5 in Earthwork Estimating Software 7.9/10 14-day trial Free trial✓ 0 of 3 features Visit SiteWorx/OS

• Carlson Takeoff fits best

  Estimators handling roads, trenches, and cut/fill

• SiteWorx/OS fits best

  Small contractors estimating complete sitework quantities

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Side by side

Feature	Carlson Takeoff 7.9/10 Visit ↗	SiteWorx/OS 7.9/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	7.9	7.9
Ranking	#2 in Earthwork Estimating Software	#5 in Earthwork Estimating Software
Best for	Estimators handling roads, trenches, and cut/fill	Small contractors estimating complete sitework quantities
Pricing model	Paid	Paid
Starting price	Pricing on request · 30-day trial	$199/yr
Free plan	—	—
Free trial	30 days	14 days
Free trial length	30 days	14 days · no card needed
Deployment	Desktop	Desktop
Platforms	Windows	Windows
Support	Email, Phone	Email, Phone, Docs
Built for	Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise	Small business, Mid-market
Features Carlson Takeoff 1/3 · SiteWorx/OS 0/3
Cut-fill analysis	✓ (best)	Not checked yet
Material cost database	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Bid templates	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Specs
Takeoff method	Both	Not checked yet
Plan input formats	Mixed	Not checked yet
Included projects	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Our review
Pros	Calculates cut/fill, strata, topsoil, subgrade, and over-excavate volumes Supports road profiles, cross-sections, end-area volumes, and mass haul Exports machine-control surfaces for Topcon, Trimble, and Leica	Calculates cut, fill, sub-grade, trench, and topsoil quantities Creates existing and proposed 3D surfaces from drawings Exports results in Excel, Word, PDF, DWG, and CSV
Cons	Windows desktop deployment may not suit teams needing other platforms Pricing requires contacting Carlson Software The CAD engine choice may add setup considerations for some buyers	Runs on Windows workstations only Annual rental starts at $1,499 per year The perpetual license costs $2,999 upfront
Our verdict	Carlson Takeoff is desktop CAD software for estimating earthwork quantities and preparing data for field stakeout and machine control. It is aimed at estimators working with roads, trenches, cut and fill, and mixed paper and digital plans.… Read the review →	SiteWorx/OS is desktop takeoff and estimating software from Vertigraph, Inc. for excavation, grading, site development, and underground utility contractors. It is aimed at small and mid-market teams estimating complete sitework quantities,… Read the review →

Strengths and trade-offs

• Carlson Takeoff — where it wins

  • Calculates cut/fill, strata, topsoil, subgrade, and over-excavate volumes
  • Supports road profiles, cross-sections, end-area volumes, and mass haul
  • Exports machine-control surfaces for Topcon, Trimble, and Leica

  Where it doesn't

  • Windows desktop deployment may not suit teams needing other platforms
  • Pricing requires contacting Carlson Software
  • The CAD engine choice may add setup considerations for some buyers

• SiteWorx/OS — where it wins

  • Calculates cut, fill, sub-grade, trench, and topsoil quantities
  • Creates existing and proposed 3D surfaces from drawings
  • Exports results in Excel, Word, PDF, DWG, and CSV

  Where it doesn't

  • Runs on Windows workstations only
  • Annual rental starts at $1,499 per year
  • The perpetual license costs $2,999 upfront

• Carlson Takeoff7.9/10 · Pricing on request · 30-day trial

  A desktop CAD tool for detailed earthwork quantities, road and trench workflows, and machine-control exports.

  Visit CarlsonFull verdict →
• SiteWorx/OS7.9/10 · 14-day trial

  SiteWorx/OS covers detailed sitework takeoff, but requires a Windows workstation and paid license.

  Visit SiteWorx/OSFull verdict →